1. City living affects your brain, researchers find
The part of the brain that senses danger becomes overactive in city-dwellers when they are under stress
June 22, 2011
Researchers found that the regions of brain that regulate emotion and anxiety are overactive in city-dwellers.
The brains of people living in cities operate differently from those in rural areas, according to a brain-scanning study. Scientists found that two regions, involved in the regulation of emotion and anxiety, become overactive in city-dwellers when they are stressed and argue that the differences could account for the increased rates of mental health problems seen in urban areas.
Previous research has shown that people living in cities have a 21% increased risk of anxiety disorders and a 39% increased risk of mood disorders. In addition, the incidence of schizophrenia is twice as high in those born and brought up in cities.
1. 7 Foods for a Good Mood
Foods that would cheer you right up
June, 2011
There's something about comfort food that makes a bad day feel all better. But before you load up on the snacks that brings the calories along with the feel-goods, check out what should you be eating instead the next time you are hit with a case of the blues. That's what we call guilt-free snacking.
Skim milk
Rich in tryptophan, milk products help our brain synthesize serotonin, a natural chemical that induces calm and happiness. It also contains a good amount of antioxidants, vitamin D and vitamin B12 that fight stress and aids in anti-aging.
Blueberries
These little blue fruits are abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which are known stress-busters. They are also rich in fibre which aids in digestion.
Beans
Beans, in particular soy beans, are rich in soluble fibre, folic acid and omega-3 fats, all known to help in mood improvement. They are also excellent sources of iron calcium.
Bananas
Like milk, banana contain tryptophan which is then converted into 'happy chemical' serotonin. It also contains carbohydrates which help boost energy and its high potassium content prevent cramps.
Chocolate
There's a reason why chocolate is one of the most popular feel-good foods around: the sugar helps boost levels of endorphins, your body's natural pain and stress fighters, hence reliving symptoms of stress that could impede your good mood. Remember to keep the chocolate intake to healthy doses, of course.
Oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines
Oily fishes such as salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are known to improve moods. They are also packed with vitamin B6 and B12 which help in the production of serotonin. If you don't quite fancy fish, omega-3 supplements can be used as a substitute.
Nuts
Jam packed with nutrients, namely protein, minerals (especially selenium which acts as an antioxidant), and omega-3 fats, nuts not only help to improve your mood, but also make up a big part of your daily nutrient intake. They also contain vitamin E, an anti-stress antioxidant.
Skim milk
Rich in tryptophan, milk products help our brain synthesize serotonin, a natural chemical that induces calm and happiness. It also contains a good amount of antioxidants, vitamin D and vitamin B12 that fight stress and aids in anti-aging.
Blueberries
These little blue fruits are abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which are known stress-busters. They are also rich in fibre which aids in digestion.
Beans
Beans, in particular soy beans, are rich in soluble fibre, folic acid and omega-3 fats, all known to help in mood improvement. They are also excellent sources of iron calcium.
Bananas
Like milk, banana contain tryptophan which is then converted into 'happy chemical' serotonin. It also contains carbohydrates which help boost energy and its high potassium content prevent cramps.
Chocolate
There's a reason why chocolate is one of the most popular feel-good foods around: the sugar helps boost levels of endorphins, your body's natural pain and stress fighters, hence reliving symptoms of stress that could impede your good mood. Remember to keep the chocolate intake to healthy doses, of course.
Oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines
Oily fishes such as salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are known to improve moods. They are also packed with vitamin B6 and B12 which help in the production of serotonin. If you don't quite fancy fish, omega-3 supplements can be used as a substitute.
Nuts
Jam packed with nutrients, namely protein, minerals (especially selenium which acts as an antioxidant), and omega-3 fats, nuts not only help to improve your mood, but also make up a big part of your daily nutrient intake. They also contain vitamin E, an anti-stress antioxidant.
2. Oil market caught flat-footed
CNN June 23, 2011
(CNN) – A surprise attack from an unlikely source sent oil prices reeling Thursday.
The International Energy Agency, the Paris based research arm of 28 industrialized countries, held an emergency press conference to announce that its members would release 60 million barrels onto the market – allocating two million barrels a day for a month. Half of the total will be coming from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
It is only the third time the IEA tapped reserves; the first was in 1991 during the Gulf War, then again in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina wiped out some production in the Gulf of Mexico.
3. Tseng scores huge victory at LPGA Championship
Reuters June 28, 2011
PITTSFORD, New York -- Yani Tseng of Taiwan underlined her status as women's world number one by winning the LPGA Championship by 10 strokes on Sunday to become the youngest female golfer to amass four major professional titles.
The 22-year-old Tseng, who began the overcast day with a five-shot lead, doubled her advantage by posting a final-round 66 at Locust Hill for a record-equaling total of 19-under-par 269 that left American Morgan Pressel (71) a distant second.
Tseng, who won the 2008 LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock and last year's Kraft Nabisco and Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale, surpassed Pak Se-ri of South Korea and Tiger Woods, who were both 24 when they won a fourth professional major.
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